Skeptic - 1992 - Vol 6 No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 6 Number 6
Date: November/December 1992
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £1.85

This issue of The Skeptic, published bimonthly in the UK, presents a diverse range of articles that critically examine various phenomena, from scientific claims to historical accounts of alleged paranormal abilities. The magazine's editorial stance consistently promotes rational inquiry and skepticism towards extraordinary claims.

Articles

Acupuncture: An Investigation

This article, featured prominently on the cover, delves into the practice of acupuncture, presenting an investigation into its efficacy and underlying principles from a skeptical perspective.

Ball Lightning

Another key topic highlighted on the cover, this section likely explores the phenomenon of ball lightning, examining scientific explanations and eyewitness accounts with a critical eye.

Cold Comfort for Cold Fusion

Authored by Malcolm Glasse, this article critically assesses the claims surrounding 'cold fusion,' a purported method for achieving nuclear fusion at room temperature. Glasse details the initial excitement in March 1989 when scientists Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons announced their discovery, which promised a cheap and clean energy source. The article explains the proposed mechanism involving deuterium and palladium. However, it highlights that despite years of research and attempts by scientists worldwide to replicate the results, the claims have largely been discredited due to the failure to consistently produce excess heat, neutrons, or tritium. The article notes that F&P continued their work in secret, with little progress to report, and that the scientific community generally concluded it was not cold fusion, though perhaps something unusual. The piece also references Frank Close's book 'Too Hot to Handle' and the challenges in verifying extraordinary claims, especially when the primary testers are the proponents themselves.

Skeptics and Scoffers

Tad Clements, an emeritus professor of philosophy, explores the distinction between skepticism and scoffing. He begins by recounting an anecdote about a friend who dismissed James Randi's work not on its logical merits but on Randi's perceived 'attitude.' Clements defines skepticism as rational doubt requiring extraordinary evidence and scoffing as making fun of others. He questions whether scoffing is an effective way to encourage critical thinking or if it alienates people. He suggests that the most effective approach might be to reveal the absurdity of certain beliefs without ridiculing the individuals holding them.

The Fasting Woman of Tutbury

Written by Tom Ruffles, this article provides a detailed look at the case of Ann Moore, born in 1761, who claimed to be able to live without food. The article recounts her declaration in 1807 and the subsequent 'watch' in September 1808, supervised by surgeon Robert Taylor, where she reportedly abstained from food for thirteen days. Taylor hypothesized she obtained nutrients from hydrogen in the air. The case gained public attention, with many flocking to see her. The article also touches upon her past, noting a separation from her husband and living in adultery. It details a second, more rigorous watch in 1813, initiated by Alexander Henderson, which aimed to scientifically verify her claims. Henderson presented fourteen reasons to doubt her truthfulness, citing her natural appearance, strength, and lack of desiccation, as well as inconsistencies in her statements and actions. The article also mentions similar fraudulent cases from Europe and the tradition of women claiming prolonged abstinence.

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery: Rosa Lotti Case

This section features an illustration from 'La Domenica del Corriere' dated 14 November 1954, depicting an alleged alien encounter. The accompanying text describes the case of Rosa Lotti, an Italian peasant woman who, on 1 November 1954, reported seeing a strange object and two small, human-like creatures while walking to church. The creatures reportedly took her flowers and stockings and pointed a tubular object at her. The article notes that investigators found no reason to suspect hysteria in Rosa, and her parish priest suggested the creatures were 'i Marziani' (Martians). The case is presented as an enigmatic 'encounter' case that predates many similar accounts in American UFO literature.

Hits and Misses

This section, written by Steve Donnelly, presents a collection of brief reports:

• Body and Seoul: Discusses the non-occurrence of an apocalypse predicted by a South Korean religious group for 28 October, noting that many believers had sold property and abandoned their lives in anticipation.
• IQ pills: Reports on a BBC program from 1988 that suggested vitamin pills could boost children's intelligence. Despite controversy and rejection by nutritionists, many parents used such supplements. The article mentions that Tandem IQ pills were selling 25,000 packets a week in 1988, but sales have since reduced as researchers failed to replicate the claims. The health food firm marketing the tablets was fined for misleading claims.
• Ouch!: A brief report from the Daily Telegraph about an AIDS doctor in Kenya warning that washing genitals with battery acid after sex as a preventative measure could lead to disastrous results.
• (Deutsche)mark of the Beast?: Discusses the CE symbol, an EC standards mark, and its interpretation by members of the Exclusive Brethren sect as the 'mark of the Beast' from the Book of Revelations, linking it to Europe and its member states.
• A little late: Reports that the Vatican formally admitted Galileo was correct about the Sun being the center of the solar system, a correction that came centuries after Galileo was forced to renounce his beliefs.
• Organ of the Devil: Details the case of Shaun Pickering-Merrett, an organist in Tuffley, Gloucestershire, who was dismissed after it was discovered he was a witch who worshipped a pre-Christian god and goddess, despite his claims of using witchcraft to help people.
• Fishy story: Recounts a hoax reported by the Chinese news agency Xinhua via Reuters about a monster sturgeon the size of a minibus caught in the Yangtze River. The story was later admitted to be invented by a junior assistant.
• Alien communication: Discusses crop-circle activity in 1992 and speculates that aliens might use crop fields to convey information about their physical appearance, suggesting a creature with two eyes and a long, elephant-like trunk with a knob on the end based on a 1991 formation in Wiltshire.

Christmas gifts

This piece humorously reviews a catalogue from New Scientist, highlighting unusual gift ideas such as a 'health giving Rayma Bracelet,' an all-weather lighter, a radiesthesia pendulum, a 'Biopotenzor' device for sexual potency, and a speaking scale that announces your weight in French.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around critical examination of claims that fall outside conventional scientific understanding. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, questioning paranormal phenomena, pseudoscientific theories like cold fusion, and historical accounts of alleged miracles or supernatural events. The editorial stance champions rational thought, evidence-based reasoning, and the importance of distinguishing between genuine skepticism and mere mockery. The inclusion of historical cases and contemporary reports of unusual events serves to illustrate the ongoing need for critical analysis in understanding the world.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: November/December 1992
Volume: 15
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £2.50
ISSN: 0959-5474

This issue of The Skeptic features two main articles: "Great Balls of Fire" by Steuart Campbell, which critically examines the phenomenon of ball lightning, and "Quackupuncture" by H B Gibson, which questions the medical ethics and efficacy of acupuncture.

Great Balls of Fire: The controversial phenomenon of ball lightning

Steuart Campbell, a science writer and investigator of luminous phenomena, argues that ball lightning, as a distinct phenomenon, likely does not exist. He posits that most reported sightings can be explained by prosaic causes, misinterpretations, or artifacts. Campbell emphasizes the importance of the null hypothesis, which states that what is sought does not exist, and suggests that scientists often ignore it, especially when it is unwelcome.

The Nature of Evidence and Perception

Campbell highlights the unreliability of human perception and memory, which he describes as 'theory-laden.' Optical illusions, such as the autokinetic illusion and the moon illusion, demonstrate how the mind can distort sensory input. He argues that observers often make guesses about size and distance, leading to inaccurate reports. Memory is also a reconstructive process, prone to errors and inadvertent incorporation of previous reports.

Critiquing Anecdotal Reports and Photographs

Anecdotal reports of ball lightning are viewed with suspicion due to the inherent defects in perception and memory. Campbell criticizes surveys that ask about ball lightning, as the question itself plants the concept in the observer's mind, potentially distorting their perception and memory. He also scrutinizes photographic and film evidence, arguing that many purported images of ball lightning are actually traces of stationary lamps, camera movement, or other mundane phenomena. Examples include Haidinger's 1868 sketch, Jennings' photograph of a street lamp trace, Mitrofanov's report, Davidov's photograph, Stekolnikov's analysis, Childerhose's UFO picture, and Peter Day's film sequence.

Alternative Explanations

• Campbell proposes several alternative explanations for reported ball lightning phenomena:
• Mirages: The object seen by Haidinger is suggested to be a mirage of the star Antares.
• Lamp Traces: Photographs and video recordings are often explained as light trails from street lamps or other artificial lights, particularly when camera movement or slow shutter speeds are involved.
• Gas Combustion Balls: Some incidents, particularly those involving a loud noise like an explosion and occurring near gas appliances, might be explained by the combustion of low-density hydrocarbon gases, such as methane.
• Mechanical Damage: Damage to windows, initially attributed to ball lightning, has been found to be caused by mechanical impact.

Conclusion on Ball Lightning

Campbell concludes that there is no reliable photographic, film, or video evidence that unequivocally shows ball lightning. Furthermore, no theory exists that can explain all reported characteristics, and no one has been able to create ball lightning in laboratory conditions. He advocates for the null hypothesis, stating that the onus of proof lies with those who claim ball lightning exists.

Quackupuncture: A question of medical ethics

H B Gibson, a clinical and research psychologist, examines the resurgence of interest in acupuncture in the UK and raises concerns about its medical efficacy and ethical implications.

The Rise of Acupuncture and its Promotion

Gibson notes that while acupuncture is practiced by some medically qualified doctors, its acceptance is questioned by scientific research, which has found the evidence for its therapeutic efficacy to be flawed. Despite this, medical group-practices are displaying promotional material for acupuncture, presenting it as a legitimate and effective treatment. Leaflets from organizations like the British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA) and the Traditional Acupuncture Society are described as glowing puffs for acupuncture, potentially misleading the public into believing it is an officially approved technique.

Medical Professionals and Acupuncture

Some doctors are taking short courses in acupuncture and becoming members of professional societies, such as the British Acupuncture Society (BAS). Gibson expresses concern that this allows GPs to refer patients to acupuncturists, some of whom are not medically qualified, blurring the lines between conventional medicine and alternative therapies. He notes that non-medical acupuncturists are sometimes labeled 'Quackupuncturists' by those with medical training who have undertaken more extensive study.

Historical Context and Efficacy Claims

The resurgence of interest in acupuncture in the UK is linked to Dr Felix Mann's book and the growing interest in alternative therapies in the 1960s. Researchers like Melzack and Wall explored acupuncture's potential for pain control, fitting it into their gate control theory of pain. However, Gibson points out that even proponents like Felix Mann have had to recant their earlier claims, admitting that acupuncture's effectiveness for pain relief or anaesthesia is limited to a small percentage of patients (around 5-10%) and is often dependent on the patient being a 'hyper-strong reactor.'

Critiques of Acupuncture

Gibson cites critics like Skrabanek, who dismisses acupuncture as 'clinically worthless' and a form of 'shamanism' that degrades medicine. Skrabanek argues that the perceived benefits are often due to the placebo effect, and that the promotion of acupuncture is driven by mercenary motives and a fear of competition from 'non-professional' competitors.

The Role of the Placebo Effect

The article strongly suggests that the perceived success of acupuncture is largely attributable to the placebo effect. This effect, where a patient's belief in a treatment leads to improvement, is acknowledged as a factor in hyperstimulation analgesia, a concept that encompasses methods like ice massage and transcutaneous electrical stimulation, which are not necessarily related to acupuncture theory.

Ethical Considerations for Doctors

Gibson poses the question of an ethical course for doctors in a society influenced by superstition. He suggests a middle ground: referring patients with ill-defined disorders to lay acupuncturists to benefit from the placebo response, while continuing to focus on treating recognizable diseases. However, he also notes the potential for medical colleagues to be accused of 'restrictive practices' if they do not engage with these alternative therapies.

Conclusion on Acupuncture

The article concludes that while some doctors may feel compelled to engage with acupuncture, the evidence for its general therapeutic value is weak, and its promotion often relies on the placebo effect and potentially mercenary motives. The practice is seen by some as a form of 'quackupuncture' that can mislead patients and detract from evidence-based medicine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic magazine consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards claims that lack robust scientific evidence. This issue exemplifies this by dissecting phenomena like ball lightning and practices like acupuncture. The editorial stance is to rigorously question anecdotal evidence, promote critical thinking, and advocate for evidence-based conclusions. The magazine aims to debunk pseudoscience and highlight the importance of scientific methodology in understanding the world, emphasizing that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The articles in this issue serve as a call for caution against accepting unverified phenomena and therapies at face value, urging readers to consider alternative explanations and the limitations of human perception and memory.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: November/December 1992
Volume: 6
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Cover Headline: The ghost story that never was

This issue of The Skeptic delves into a variety of topics related to belief, skepticism, and the paranormal, featuring personal accounts, critical reviews of books and ideas, and discussions on scientific thinking.

The ghost story that never was

Toby Howard recounts a peculiar experience at the University of Manchester's Department of Computer Science where he witnessed a man in a brown suit appear and disappear in a chair. Despite being a skeptic, the event left him pondering explanations, ranging from optical illusions and misinterpretations to the possibility of a ghost. He discusses how his account was received by colleagues, with many finding it plausible. Howard reflects on the allure of being the source of a story, the 'power' and 'fame' associated with it, but states his intention was not to promote paranormal beliefs. He questions how a skeptic should handle unexplained personal experiences, balancing open inquiry with the risk of reinforcing stereotypes, and the difficulty of proving such events.

Skeptic at Large: Notions of belief

Wendy M Grossman examines Richard Dawkins' concept of 'memes' as applied to the transmission of ideas, particularly religious ones. She notes that Dawkins uses metaphors without explicit admission, drawing parallels to computer viruses. Grossman discusses Dawkins' 1992 Voltaire Lecture, 'Viruses of the Mind,' where he argued that many beliefs, like childhood crazes and religions, spread epidemically rather than through rational choice. She highlights that most people follow their parents' religion without examination. Grossman expresses several problems with Dawkins' approach: his personification of the skeptic as cold and mechanistic, his lack of allowance for the human need for community, and his focus on essentially harmless beliefs while ignoring harmful ones, such as those that interfere with personal autonomy. She also critiques his generalization about children being 'gullible,' arguing they are inexperienced rather than foolish. Grossman concludes that while skeptics aim to spread information for informed decision-making, describing beliefs as 'viruses' can be disempowering.

Reviews

Has the Emperor lost his clothes?

Paul Johnson reviews "Belonging to the Universe: New Thinking about God and Nature" by Fritjof Capra, David Steindl-Rast, and Thomas Matus. The book aims to explore the relationship between 'new science' (chaos theory, quantum physics) and 'new theology.' Johnson finds the book frustrating and disappointing, criticizing its format of transcribed verbal discussions lacking clear conclusions. He argues that the 'new science' presented is largely based on 'straw men' and incomprehensible statements. Johnson concludes that the book offers little insight into science or theology, unlike Capra's earlier work, "The Tao of Physics."

Leys and landscape

Lucy Fisher reviews Philip Heselton's "The Elements of Earth Mysteries." This book introduces New Age topics, focusing on ley lines as straight lines connecting ancient sites, believed to be channels of natural energy. Fisher notes the book's exploration of associations with 'ghosts, giants, fairies,' and other phenomena. However, she criticizes the undefined use of 'energy' and the authors' defensive and contradictory approach. She finds the recommended research method of touching standing stones and letting imagination run riot to be subjective. Despite acknowledging the book offers something better than the 'urban wasteland,' she deems it self-indulgent and lacking practical application.

Scientists fight back

Robert Marshall reviews "Creationism: Scientists Respond," a booklet analyzing ten pamphlets from the Australian Creation Science Foundation (CSF). The reviews, written by geologists, critique the CSF's literal interpretation of the Genesis creation story. Marshall finds the booklet useful for its side-by-side presentation of creationist documents and rebuttals, exposing flaws, false claims, and leaps of logic. He notes the depressing nature of topics like the Piltdown man and 'Paluxy tracks' but wishes for a debate with the CSF to understand their thinking.

Bridging the gap

Robert Marshall reviews Milton A Rothman's "The Science Gap." Rothman argues that as scientific knowledge increases, public acceptance decreases. The book examines common public myths about science, such as 'nothing is known for sure' and 'scientists don't have any imagination,' and overestimations of science's capabilities. Rothman refutes these propositions chapter by chapter, with material familiar to skeptics, including experimenter bias and the discussion of good versus bad myths.

SHC: smoke without fire?

Rachel Winston reviews "Spontaneous Human Combustion" by Jenny Randles and Peter Hough. Winston criticizes the authors for treating all unusual fire-related deaths as potential SHC cases and for their credulity. She notes the book's use of fictional descriptions presented as evidence and its tendency to drift into discussions of fiction. While acknowledging the authors' detailed research into 'actual cases,' Winston finds they readily accept stories and conclusions from self-proclaimed experts without question. She also criticizes their attempts to explain SHC with various scientific theories without fully understanding them, and their reliance on 'Kundalini' energy. Winston concludes that the authors' argument for the phenomenon's existence relies on the inability to definitively disprove fanciful theories, a viewpoint she finds questionable.

Three's company..?

Toby O'Neil reviews "Trialogues at the Edge of the West" by Ralph Abraham, Terence McKenna, and Rupert Sheldrake. The book comprises edited transcripts of talks on topics like 'Creativity and the Imagination' and 'The Apocalypse.' O'Neil finds the book to be a disguised exposition of the writers' New Age beliefs, arguing that primitive societies lived in harmony with nature while modern ones do not. He criticizes the authors' flawed dialectics, tendency to twist facts, and failure to consider alternatives. O'Neil concludes that academics can talk rubbish outside their specialist fields and that the book, while provoking reaction, is not recommended.

New Prometheus books for Xmas

This section lists two new books from Prometheus Books: "Missing Pieces: How to Investigate Ghosts, UFOs, Psychics, and Other Mysteries" by Robert A. Baker and Joe Nickell, and "The Write Stuff: Evaluations of Graphology - The Study of Handwriting Analysis" edited by Barry L. Beyerstein and Dale F. Beyerstein.

Prometheus Books Prize Xmas Crossword

A crossword puzzle is presented, with a prize offered for the first correct solution to be sent in.

Letters

Vampires and blood

E. M. Karbacz of Colchester connects the Vampire legend to an episode in Homer's "Iliad," where Odysseus contacts spirits by sacrificing animals and pouring their blood into a trench. Karbacz suggests that the blood gives spirits materiality, enabling them to speak, and that this explains the Vampire's need for blood to retain a shred of material existence and avoid becoming earth-bound.

Missing statistics

Roger Morgan of London responds to a previous letter regarding crop circle hoaxing. He states that he was the first to publicly suggest a controlled trial for crop circle hoaxing in 1991. Morgan criticizes the lack of proper statistical reporting in a subsequent report on a crop circle competition, where scores were given without a clear indication of what constituted a perfect performance, making it impossible to assess the winners' results.

Scientific thinking

Eric Stockton of Orkney discusses the nature of scientific thinking in response to Alan Jones. Stockton argues that it is unscientific to assert that something is cheating solely because it contradicts a known law, like the second law of thermodynamics. He emphasizes that scientific confidence is based on vast data but that hypothetical possibilities should not be dismissed outright. Stockton uses historical examples, like the dismissal of Columbus's voyage and John Dalton's view on splitting the atom, to illustrate how established certainties can be overturned. He advocates for skepticism to begin at home and not end there, especially when contemplating current 'certainties'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently promotes a critical and evidence-based approach to claims of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and New Age beliefs. The magazine encourages rational inquiry, scientific methodology, and the application of Occam's Razor. It provides a platform for skeptical analysis of popular phenomena, challenging unsubstantiated claims and promoting a discerning public. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific understanding and against the uncritical acceptance of anecdotal evidence or speculative theories. The magazine also highlights the importance of clear statistical reporting and rigorous research methods.